KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Tuesday it had arrested 14 people, including an Iranian citizen, during raids near the southwestern coastal town of Jiwani for attempting to cross the border illegally.
The arrests follow a series of recent FIA operations aimed at curbing human smuggling. On Saturday, the agency said it had detained 84 people in two separate operations while they were trying to cross into Iran by sea.
The government has tightened overland travel restrictions to Iran this year amid security concerns in Balochistan, where the volatile border province abuts Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan region.
“FIA Composite Circle Gwadar undertook raids, arresting 14 suspects in all,” the agency said in an official statement. “Among those arrested, three were from Gujranwala, three from Mandi Bahauddin, four from Sanghar and three from Sheikhupura. Nine of the suspects had attempted to illegally travel to Iran by sea.”
“Another five people involved in illegally entering Pakistan were also taken into custody,” it added. “The group of illegal entrants included an Iranian citizen.”
